Stomach disorders, worms, dysentery, diarrhea, etc.
SISYRINCHIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
(_Ind. Man-ta-ca_)
Commonly known as Blue Star Flower Grass. Found widely distributed along
the rich southern slopes of the lower coastal ranges. Effective in the
treatment of functional affections of the stomach. In the form of tea,
the entire plant was used to eradicate all kinds of stomach worms.
Flowering season from March to April.
DIPSACUS GLUTINOSUS
(_Ind. Vaah-se-le-coo_)
Known also as Monkey Flower, a plant not indigenous to any particular
soil, grows abundantly in California in the lower coastal ranges, and
also in the upper regions. Leaves, flowers, and stems were taken in the
form of tea, and effected a thorough cure in severe cases of diarrhea.
VITIS VULPINA CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. Esq-urana-quat_)
Also called Wild Grape. It occurs mostly along rich river bottoms and
marshy soils generally. Usually associated with Wild Berry Vines.
RUBUS VILLOSUS
(_Ind. Pick-lam_)
The Wild Blackberry. The roots of either of the two genera, boiled into
a tea and given the patient, will afford permanent relief in mild cases
of diarrhea. The roots may be gathered and used at any time of the year.
CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS
(_Ind. Pa-sil_)
Also called Shepherd’s Purse. Probably one of the most common of all
plants in Southern California soils, growing throughout the year on
irrigated lands and on arid soils. Boiled into a tea it is a certain
cure for even severe cases of dysentery. No more than two to three cups
should be taken. This little plant is a blessing to mankind and should
be made use of. It is the medicinal queen, and surpasses all others in
cases of dysentery and diarrhea.
HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES
(_Ind. Mo-cash_)
American Pennyroyal. Considered as the greatest nuisance by farmers. As
a curative agent in severe cases of dysentery it ranks next to _Capsella
bursa-pastoris_. It is general throughout California, and blooms from
August to September.
ANTHEMIS NOBILIS
(_Ind. Sa-mat-pl-ol_)
American Field Camomile. A very common plant growing everywhere in
California. It was used extensively for babies suffering from colic, and
also to regulate unsettled stomachs.
Painful congestion of the stomach.
MALVA ROTUNDIFOLIA
(_Ind. Mal-val_)
American Common Mallow, compounded with blossoms of California Wild
Rose, or the seed.
ROSA CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. O-chul_)
American California Wild Rose. This beautiful wild rose-bush inhabits
the coastal ranges, and may be found far inland along open spaces in
heavy woodland abounding in rather rich and mulchy soil.
Used in cases of stomach fevers, the ripe seed is given in the form of
tea to relieve the stomach clogged with food as well as in so-called
cases of painful congestion.
MONARDELLA VILLOSA
(_Ind. Tah-lis-wet_)
Skirting for its habitat the high mountain lands, it is very seldom
found anywhere else. It is a native of California, and is used chiefly
for the relief of ordinary stomach-ache. When in bloom it is very
fragrant and blossoms from late May till June. (American
Horsemint—sometimes called Pennyroyal)
Fevers and constipation of the stomach.
ERYTHAEA MUEHLENBERGII
(_Ind. Co-oniche-la-wa_)
Its habitat is confined to a few localities in San Diego County, the
coastal regions in Santa Barbara, Orange County, and in San Bernardino
along the southern border of the Mojave Desert.
It was used in the form of an infusion in cases of constipation caused
by fever of the stomach.
Fevers.
JUNIPERUS CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. Gla-wat-pool_)
American Juniper Berry. Its habitat extends from our high mountain
ranges in northern San Diego County to Monterey County. The berries have
a short season, ripening in these regions from late in July until early
in September. They were used for making tea or simply chewed in cases of
La Grippe fevers. They may be gathered, dried, and stored for future
use.
Lung fevers.
PAEONIA BROWNII
(_Ind. Quel-ta-bat_)
American Wild Peony. It inhabits shady canyons growing only on deep,
rich, decomposed mulch. The blossoms are of deep red color, and the
blooming season lasts from May until June. Its roots bear a strong
resemblance to young sweet potatoes and were gathered to be used in the
form of tea for complicated lung fevers. The tea has a decidedly bitter
taste.
Stomach fevers.
VERBENA HASTATA
(_Ind. Muy-u-vees_)
American Wild Vervain. Inhabits the lower coastal ranges and pasture
lands. Its blooming period is from late in May until July. This plant is
remarkable for bearing three different colored blossoms—in some
localities white, in others, pink, and then again, blue—all this owing
to the mineral soil formation. The root is used for complicated stomach
fevers.
Fevers.
MORAJAUM
(_Ind. Saa-al_)
Grows along rivers and lake borders. This plant, being of a semiaquatic
nature, resembles some of our wild orchids and blooms but a short
season. The entire plant is used in cases of fevers complicated with
headaches.
Eruptive Fevers.
SAMBUCUS PUBENS
(_Ind. Haa-sat_)
American Elderberry. Indigenous to the coastal regions. The yellow
blossoms were extensively used by all Indian tribes only in cases of
measles.
MIRABILIS CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. See-wish-pe-yack_)
American Four O’clock. The root of this plant served the same purpose as
American Elderberry. Its habitat is Santa Barbara County, Calif., and it
is not found anywhere else in a wild state.
There are no records that it was used for other eruptive fevers such as
smallpox, scarlet fever, etc. These were introduced into this country
later on by white European adventurers and settlers, the first cases
being recorded in 1825. These diseases were greatly dreaded by the
Indians, and whenever any of them contracted this malady, they would
invariably vacate the locality they were in, and move many miles away to
virgin country.
And, as a warning of danger to fellow tribesmen and to keep them away
from the abandoned camp, all the rock mortars and clay pots were turned
upside down and partly buried in the ground.
Plant poisoning.
GRINDELIA CUNEIFOLIA
(_Ind. Mie-chowl_)
Grows in alkaline soils and its blooming season is from August to
September. The plant was used a great deal in cases of itching skin
eruption caused by poison oak, and is a cure for such disorders.
(American Gum Plant)
RHUS DIVERSILOBA
(_Ind. E-yal_)
Botanical Serum. This is the poison oak itself, of which the roots,
during the dormant period, are cut and properly dried. When taken in the
form of tea in a quantity of not more than four ounces, it will render a
person immune against any further poisoning. This is a bona fide Indian
formula.[1] Blooming season from May to June.
[1]I ask my readers not to try this serum pending further laboratory
experiments. I plan to subject myself to exhaustive tests under
scientific observation and to publish the results.
Ulcers and diseases of the skin and feet.
ANTENNARIA MARGARITACEA
(_Ind. Te-bish-samat_)
American Cotton Weed. Its habitat is all along the Southern California
hill slopes, and the beautiful pearly flowers are used for ulcers and
sores of the feet which fail to respond to treatment by other
medicaments. The blossoms must be boiled. The liquid obtained is used to
bathe the feet, and all parts of the skin affected. A very effective
cure. The blossoms are also ground into a powder and applied to the part
affected.
Burns.
SOLIDAGO NEMORALIS
(_Ind. Pa-co-se-cheeh_)
American Western Goldenrod. Its habitat is the river and creek bottom
lands. Quite common in California, this plant has great healing power,
especially in cases of old raw burns that have failed to heal properly,
as well as major rotten ulcers. The leaves of the plant may be boiled
and the liquid used to bathe the affected parts; while the pulp, as a
poultice, is to be placed upon the burns and ulcers to promote
disinfection and to hasten a rapid growth of new healthy flesh.
_Solidago nemoralis_ has one other great virtue of considerable value.
Two to three baths in a strong solution, prepared by boiling, will cure
the Seven-Year Itch and free the victim from that terrible malady.
Fistulas and running sores.
PENTSTEMON CORDIFOLIUS
(_Ind. Ting-gi-wit_)
American Wild Fuchsia. A native of the coastal ranges, northward from
San Diego County to Monterey, Calif., this dark-green shrub is very
attractive to the eye. It bears an array of deep-red blossoms,
well-formed in clusters, at the very tip of long slender branches. It
was used as a poultice and a wash for fistulas and deep, pus-running
ulcers.
Eruptive scalp diseases.
EUPHORBIA
(_Ind. Te-mal-hepe_)
A native of California, it is quite common on our inland fields. It is
used for minor skin eruptions and scalp diseases. Used as a wash only.
It blooms from early May to July.
AMBROSIA ARTEMISIFOLIA
(_Ind. Watch-ish_)
American Common Ragweed. Grows in abundance in swamps and along
waterways. There are two distinct species of this worthy plant, the
dwarf variety and the gigantic kind. Either may be used for the same
purpose as mentioned for _Euphorbia_. In full bloom from July to
September.
How to retain the natural color of the hair.
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA
(_Ind. Ulu-ca-hul-vaal_)
American Common Sage. Habitat, the California desert. For a good many
years this plant has been used to restore the color of hair, but the
method used and practiced is far from that of our people, the Indians.
And this can be traced back to the misunderstanding of the people who
first introduced this use of sage for that purpose. Of course, washing
the hair with it as a scalp treatment will do no harm, because the plant
itself has soothing and healing qualities; but to maintain the natural
color of the hair, or to restore gray hair to its former color, one must
drink the infusion when compounded in the way we know. The plant blooms
from April to June.
Women’s diseases.
ARTEMISIA CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. Hul-vaal_)
Habitat, the coastal regions. The infusion made from this plant was used
a great deal in cases of vaginal trouble. Blooming period from March to
May. (American Wormwood)
RAMONA POLYSTACHYA
(_Ind. Qua-seel_)
American White Salvia, playing a very important part in healing
internally and removing particles of the afterbirth. The infusion from
the roots was given to the patient to drink regularly in place of water.
LARREA MEXICANA
(_Ind. Ato-col_)
American Creosote Bush. Its habitat covers the entire length and breadth
of the Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, and Riverside. This plant
was used in cases of cramps of the stomach due to delayed menstruation,
and in cases of this nature not more than one half of a cup of the tea
was drunk. This plant is in full foliage from May to October.
CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES
(_Ind. Epa-so-tee_)
Its habitat is in swamp bottom lands. The root of the plant was used in
cases where the menstrual period had been overdue for five or as many as
ten days. The plant itself has a rather offensive odor, but the boiled
root is quite agreeable to the taste and very effective. The patient may
drink as much of the tea as desired. Blooming season from March to late
fall. (American Goosefoot)
CRACCA VIRGINIANA
(_Ind. Po-hiel_)
American Garden Rue. A common garden shrub introduced into this country
at the beginning of the early mission days.
Although the odor of this plant is quite disagreeable to the sense of
smell, the infusion is very rich in flavor and not bad at all.
Flesh-wounds, knife-cuts, etc.
ANEMOPSIS CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. Che-vnes_)
American Swamp Root. Habitat, swamps. This plant is plentiful in
California—the territory where it grows wild could be measured in
thousands of acres. When cut, dried, and powdered, it can be used for
the disinfection of knife-cut wounds, and to draw and promote the growth
of healthy flesh. (Spanish _Yerba Mansa_)
GRINDELIA SQUARROSA
(_Ind. Tanga-wet_)
Habitat, low, sandy loam soils. For above-mentioned purposes this plant
is very valuable from a medicinal standpoint, as it makes all wounds
respond quickly to healing, when used as a wash and for disinfection of
cuts. A wet pulpy poultice must be applied to the wounds for quick
results. The plant blooms from June to August. (American Gum Plant)
FRASERA
(_Ind. So-cat-llami_)
American Deer Ears. Habitat, the high sierras and coastal ranges. The
infusion is used for the treatment of infected sores.
CARDUACEA
(_Ind. San-ca_)
American Green Sage. Its habitat is the Mojave Desert, San Bernardino
County and north of the southern borders of the San Joaquin Valley. This
plant is very valuable, being very powerful and of great medicinal use,
and much attention should be given it by men of science.
The Indians used it universally in cases of serious and major wounds—the
infusion being given the patient if symptoms of blood poisoning were
present. Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, was easily overcome, thus
eliminating the surgical operations so frequently resorted to by the
medical profession. The infusion was also administered in cases of
childbirth as a preventative of blood poisoning and gangrene with
_Ramona polystachya_.
OPUNTIA
(_Ind. Tu-nah_)
American Cactus Pear. Its habitat, the desert and dry lands. This plant
was fully as important as _Piperacea_. The large leaves were scraped of
their thorns and a plug made out of the leaf, according to the nature of
the wound, and inserted into it, healing it quite rapidly—a first-class
piece of botanical surgery.
Healing.
PLANTAGO MAJOR
(_Ind. Pal-qua-ah_)
American Plantain. Its habitat is swamps and localities where there is
abundant moisture. The plant, like many others, was used to dislodge and
draw deeply embedded poisonous thorns and splinters from the flesh. The
operation was quite simple. It consisted of applying a light coating of
suet on one of the leaves, this was covered with another leaf and then
placed, tied down firmly, over the thorn or splinter to be removed. It
usually requires about 10 hours for the thorn to appear at the surface
of the skin. The same procedure can also be used by persons who have
accidentally stepped on a rusty nail—thus avoiding danger of blood
poisoning. The simple poultice described above will prevent that.
CLEMATIS LIGUSTICIFOLIA
(_Ind. Chee-va-tow_)
The California Clematis is a sister plant of the Eastern Clematis, a
very good healer in the treatment of skin eruptions, the infusion to be
used as a wash.
Inhabits the mid-coast and inland ranges, and, to the east, the
territory where Daniel Boone’s activities played their part and took
their place in American history. Nothing, however, is mentioned about
this plant at the time the Indians were pursuing him in the wilds of
Kentucky, and yet it was one of the strong vines of _Clematis_ which
enabled Daniel Boone to escape and save his life by cutting it with his
hunting knife above ground and hurling himself far out, thus putting the
Indians off his track.
Myself an Indian, I have always admired Daniel Boone for his cool
presence of mind. He was brave and fearless, although not a showman like
Buffalo Bill and others whose exploits were chiefly founded on personal
motives.
Coughs, colds and sore throat.
RUMEX HYMENOCALLIS
(_Ind. Ca-na-ma_)
American Wild Rhubarb. Thrives in dead, sandy soils, and is very common
throughout Southern California. The roots are long and bear a close
resemblance to sweet potatoes. The infusion made from it has an acrid
taste, and, when used as a gargle several times in cases of cough and
sore throat, it will be found to give complete relief. The plant blooms
in June and July.
PRUNUS SEROTINA
(_Ind. Is-lay_)
American California Wild Cherry. At home in the high mountain ranges. An
infusion of the bark in spring or summer while the sap is running, or of
the roots in winter when the tree is dormant, may be used for common
coughs.
PRUNUS ILICIFOLIA
(_Ind. Is-lay_)
Holly-Leaf Cherry. Used for the same purposes as _Prunus serotina_.
SPIRAEA SALICIFOLIA
(_Ind. Ha-ba-ba-neek_)
American Queen of the Meadows. Its habitat is the low coastal ranges.
The root of the plant was used for common coughs and chest colds.
EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM
(_Ind. Sa-ca-pe-yote_)
American Joe-Pye Weed. It was used for the same purpose as _Spiraea
salicifolia_ in localities where that plant couldn’t be obtained,
although the latter was greatly preferred for the extra medicinal
qualities it possessed as a mild laxative. The root, when made into an
infusion, is extremely pungent and rich in flavor, but agreeable in
taste to most people.
MARRUBIUM VULGARE
(_Ind. O-o-hul_)
American Horehound. Its habitat is the woodland. Although the infusion
made from the leaves and flowers is rather bitter, it is very good for
ordinary coughs and sore throats.
Old dry coughs.
AUDIBERTIAS STACHYOIDES
(_Ind. Seel_)
American Black Sage. This plant is one of the most valuable of all for
the cure of deep dry coughs of long standing, which have settled in the
bronchial tubes. This does not mean coughs of two or three weeks’
duration, but those which have existed for a period of from four to six
months and which have, therefore, reached a chronic, dangerous stage.
The infusion was made full strength and given to the patient in small
doses, hot—never cold—in the daytime, and one extra big dose before
retiring.
Blood hemorrhages of the lungs.
DENNSTAEDTIA PUNCTILOBULA
(_Ind. Ma-ciel_)
American Hay-Scented Wild Fern. Its habitat lies in the high California
mountain ranges. We are now coming to the tuberculosis line. Hemorrhages
of the lungs, and common diseases which prevail to a great extent among
people who, through neglect and irregular habits, intensify coughs and
colds.
It was nothing to an Indian to overcome these maladies of the lungs,
which in his case were usually due to accidental injury. This wild fern
bears oil nodules on the crown of the root system and they are available
only at a certain period, from May to June.
Coughs and asthma.
ERIODICTYON GLUTINOSUM CALIFORNICUM
(_Ind. Tan-que-bel_)
Commonly known as _Yerba Santa_, this plant proved to be possessed of
great medicinal merits, and was very soon adopted by the mission friars
for its outstanding qualities in the cure of coughs, asthma, rheumatism
and pneumonia, being rightly considered as far superior in this respect
to any of the other medicines brought by them from Europe. In fact, so
great was the medicinal usefulness of these plants and hundreds of
others known to the Indians, that they soon became the objects of study
and investigation, which, however, met with failure, due to the severe
punishment meted out to any and all Indians for divulging any secrets
pertaining to the medical history of plants used by the tribes. A
penalty which was sufficient to deter them from any further misdeeds in
that direction, and which they always remembered. Quite a contrast to
the modern, elastic laws of our present civilization.
ERIODICTYON CALIFORNICUM
(_Ind. Que-bel_)
American White Woolly Holly Plant is the sister plant of _E.
glutinosum_.
Cathartics.
ERIOGONUM ELATUM
(_Ind. Pa-va-coneel_)
American Bottle-Weed. Its habitat lies in the volcanic regions of the
Mojave Desert. This plant is rather peculiar in its growth, thriving on
poisonous volcanic soils, where no other form of plant life can exist.
The Indians of the desert regions used the plant as a physic, and it
outranks _Rhamnus californica_ in this respect. The mission friars
overlooked this plant for the reason that none of them ventured that far
into the desert, valuing their lives above everything else.
The infusion obtained from the plant was used in very minimum doses, and
when unable to do that, a small branch was cut and a very small piece
was chewed by the constipated person.
RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA
(_Ind. Hoon-wet-que-wa_)
American Coffee Berry. Its habitat is the canyons of high mountain
ranges along waterway banks.
The bark was stripped off the trees, shade-dried and then ground in a
_ca-wish-pat-os-vaal_, meaning the stone mortar and pestle generally
used in those days, and even by druggists today, though made of
different material. The prepared powder was used to a great extent at
full strength in cases of constipation, and was administered in
well-measured doses, but not in excess.
Owing to its medicinal properties this tree-plant was introduced into
European countries where it gradually became the outstanding cathartic
of all.
And this is the _Rhamnus californica_, the medicine of the Indians,
named by Junipero De Serra _Cascara sagrada_—“Sacred Bark.”
Kidneys.
EQUISETUM HYEMALE
(_Ind. Po-po-ot_)
Its habitat is confined to swampy lands. This plant is very fond of
water, and attains a very vigorous growth under these conditions. Due to
its aquatic nature, the plant, when fully matured, was gathered,
shade-dried and an infusion made which was used solely in the treatment
of prostate gland trouble. (American Horsetail)
EPHEDRA
(_Ind. Tut-tut_)
Its habitat is the desert lands of California, northwestern Arizona, and
Nevada.
This evergreen, shrubby plant was held in high esteem by all the
Indians, and a good supply of it was always kept on hand for general
use. The infusion made from it was used regularly to flush the kidneys.
The tea is of a very delicious taste. A person cannot help liking it,
and it also helps to purify the blood. (American Tea of the Indian)
PELLAEA ATROPURPUREA
(_Ind. Cala-wala_)
American Purple Cliff Brake Fern. Its habitat: the high mountain ranges.
This useful little fern grows abundantly on most of the limestone
formations and is seldom found anywhere else. Like _Ephedra_ it makes a
delicious tea, which is used more or less for the same purpose, to flush
the kidneys and to tone and thin the blood in severely hot summer
weather as a preventative against sunstroke.
Blood pressure, sunstroke.
ERIOGONUM ELONGATUM
(_Ind. Te-ve-na-wa_)
This plant is an inhabitant of the Mojave Desert. There are two
different varieties, one of them being quite common on arid lands and
side hills along our coastal highways. The other is the best, however,
and, as a blood tonic, compares very favorably in medicinal worth with
all others recommended.
The latter was used by the Indian for special cases of high blood
pressure and hardening of the arteries.
It was generally used by Indian runners, and taken before and after a
long-distance run over rough country.
Sedatives.
VERONICA OFFICINALIS
(_Ind. Ca-wish-hubel_)
American Speedwell.
MENTHA SPICATA
(_Ind. Ga-vish-ho-ba-jat_)
American Garden Spearmint. Habitat, the lower marshy coastal regions.
ILYSANTHUS BRACHIATUS
(_Ind. Samat-hubel_)
American Mountain False Pennyroyal.
MENTHA CANADENSIS
(_Ind. Samat_)
Both _Ilysanthus_ (above) and _Mentha Canadensis_ inhabit the high
mid-coastal ranges and are frequently found lining the borders of
mountain streams in beautiful settings of wild ferns. (American Mint)
MICROMERIA DOUGLASII
(_Ind. Ya-mish-hubel_)
Mint Family. A rare plant and found only in a few localities on the
mid-coastal ranges, as in Orange County, San Juan Capistrano, at Hot
Springs, situated on the southern slopes of the Trabuco mountains, Los
Angeles County, Fish Canyon, Pasadena in Santa Barbara County, the heavy
woodlands of Montecito Valley and in the Old Spanish Grand Rancho, San
Leandro. It is also found northward as far as San Francisco at Angel
Islands. The infusion was taken to soothe the nervous system in cases of
insomnia.
Catarrh of the head and nasal chambers.
PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS
(_Ind. Ci-vil_)
American Sycamore. It is an inhabitant of the California mountain
ranges. The underside of its leaves bears a very fine yellowish moss,
which the beautiful little hummingbirds like to use for building their
tiny nests. In fact, they prefer it to any other material on account of
its extreme softness.
These leaves are valuable as an effective cure for old chronic cases of
catarrh, when the catarrh has passed into internal ulcers, which
continually discharge material of an offensive odor.
The moss scraped from the underside of the leaves, carefully and
patiently enough to have a sufficient supply to compound it with the dry
powdered yolks of the eggs of quail and an infusion of _Andromeda
polifolia_ was also made and used as a nasal douche, to cleanse the
conduits, followed afterwards by sniffing the powdered compound before
retiring for the night.
HELENIUM AUTUMNALE—HELENIUM NUDIFLORUM
(_Ind. Pe-bah_)
American Sneeze-Weed. Both inhabit swamps and mountain springs.
ANDROMEDA POLIFOLIA
(_Ind. Ho-bef-zo-bal_)
American Moorwort. This is found only at very high mountain altitudes.
Toothache and pyorrhea.
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM
(_Ind. Pas-wat_)
American Yarrow. This plant bears a strong resemblance to the Wood
Betony, which is poisonous, and both may, in their wild state, be found
side by side in the same locality. It is indigenous to the mid-coastal
range woodlands.
Persons suffering from a severe toothache can cut the tips of the leaves
of _Achillea millefolium_, roll them into a small pellet and insert it
into the cavity of the aching tooth. You will be surprised how quickly
the pain disappears.
ERIOGONUM
(_Ind. Pas-vaat_)
This inhabitant of the Mojave Desert, with its golden yellow flowers, is
a treat to the true lover of nature. Its blooming season is in its full
glory during the month of October when everything else in the way of
flowering trees and shrubs is lying dormant. Thousands of acres in the
desert may be seen carpeted with this golden color, blending with that
of autumnal foliage and geological soil formation which also glows in
many tints, offering wonders of inspiration to the artist—the greatest
interpreter of the works of nature next to the botanist, geologist and
naturalist.
For centuries _Pas-vaat_ has been used by the Indians to keep the roots
of the teeth and the gums in a state of health. Whenever pyorrhea was
present and the teeth threatened to become loose, an infusion of the
flowers and leaves of the plant was made and regularly used as a
mouthwash. Although its taste is very bitter, holding the liquid in the
mouth for a few minutes daily will prevent and cure pyorrhea and tend to
the firm setting of the teeth.
QUERCUS RUBRA
(_Ind. Qui-neel_)
American Red Oak. The juice obtained from the bark is a very efficient
means for straightening and setting loose teeth, but it has no effect on
pyorrhea.